Senior Economist

Central Bank of Lesotho

Maseru, Lesotho

current - 2024

• Forecasting & Liquidity Management: Monitor liquidity conditions and provide strategic advice on optimal Open Market Operations (OMO) to enhance monetary policy implementation.
• Liquidity Forecasting Enhancement: Improved liquidity forecasting frameworks by incorporating novel machine learning approaches, enhancing predictive accuracy and decision-making.
• International Reserves Strategy: Prepare periodic technical reports on forecasting and determining optimal and prudential levels of international reserves, ensuring the stability and adequacy of the reserves to maintain the currency peg.
• Monetary Policy Advisory: Advise on prudential monetary policy responses, including policy rate adjustments and reserve adequacy, to maintain the currency peg between Lesotho’s Loti and the South African Rand.
• Automation & Efficiency Improvements: Automated repetitive tasks and workflows within the Research Department using R, Python, and other programming languages, significantly improving operational efficiency. These systems are now integral to the Research Department’s periodical reporting processes.
• Data Pipeline Development: Designed and implemented end-to-end data pipelines that integrate data from API endpoints and internal databases, enabling seamless updates to relational databases and streamlining data analysis processes within the Research Department

Economist

Central Bank of Lesotho

Maseru, Lesotho

2024 - 2019

• Automated Reporting System Development: Developed an automated reporting system using Quarto and Markdown within the Posit ecosystem, now utilized by the Research Department for generating periodic reports.
• Monetary Policy & Liquidity Management: Ensure optimal conduct of monetary policy by forecasting banking sector liquidity, monitoring liquidity conditions, and advising on effective Open Market Operations (OMO) strategies.
• International Reserves Management: Prepare periodic technical reports on the forecasting and determination of optimal and prudential international reserves levels, ensuring the Central Bank of Lesotho maintains adequate reserves.
• Reserve Money & Exchange Rate Stability: Advise on prudential targets for reserve money levels and set an international reserves floor to safeguard the fixed exchange rate between Lesotho’s Loti and the South African Rand.
• Macroeconomic Forecasting: Actively participate in forecasting exercises to produce bi-annual macroeconomic outlook reports for Lesotho’s economy using the financial programming approach.

Economic Consultant

The World Bank

Maseru, Lesotho

May 2019 - Jan 2019

• Data Collection & Analysis: Collected, cleaned, and conducted preliminary analysis of high-frequency macroeconomic data sourced from government ministries, data agencies, and other custodians in Lesotho.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Established and maintained working relationships with major economic institutions, data agencies, and relevant stakeholders, facilitating collaboration and data sharing for the World Bank office in Lesotho.
• Reporting: Compiled and disseminated periodic economic reports (weekly and monthly) for the Macro Team, focusing on key economic indicators and developments in Lesotho.
• Technical Support for Communications: Assisted the Communications team with technical insights and analysis on economic matters, ensuring accurate and effective reporting for the country office.

Econ Data APIs

Personal Project

Remote

current

• Overview: This repository provides a programmatic interface to access multiple economic data sources. It is designed with both R and Python, ensuring broad applicability for data analysis and research in economics.
• Features:

1. Custom functions to easily access and retrieve economic data without relying on external libraries, which can become obsolete if not maintained
2. Support for both R and Python, offering flexibility in tool choice for users.
3. Focus on creating user written functions to ensure long-term reliability and avoid dependency on third-party packages.
4. GitHub Repository: Econ Data APIs

Author - Best Practices in Data Management: A Brief Guide for Efficient and Reproducible Workflows for Researchers

Central Bank of Lesotho

Maseru, Lesotho

current - May 2024

• Developing a comprehensive guide focused on efficient and reproducible data management practices tailored for researchers.
• Covering key topics such as data organization, version control, automation, and the use of tools to streamline research workflows.

Data Warehousing Project

Central Bank of Lesotho

Maseru, Lesotho

current - August 2024

• Spearheading a project to enhance operational efficiency by integrating and streaming data from internal databases and external API endpoints.
• Overseeing the development and implementation of real-time data pipelines, enabling more accurate and timely decision-making.
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration and optimal performance.

Website Revamp Initiative

Central Bank of Lesotho

Maseru, Lesotho

current - 2023

• Contributing to the overhaul of the Central Bank’s website to improve user experience, functionality, and accessibility.
• Collaborating with IT, design, and content teams to ensure the website meets the institution’s strategic goals and serves stakeholders effectively.

Research Assistant

Eastern Michigan University

Michigan, USA

2018 - 2017

• Assisted in data collection, data cleaning, and analysis for Dr Amanda Stype.
• Collected and synthesised literature on healthcare utilisation by US military veterans.

Research Assistant

Ministry of Finance & Development Planning

Maseru, Lesotho

Jul 2011 - June 2011

• Assisted in data collection, analysis, and interpretation for the study.
• Conducted literature reviews and supported the development of research methodologies.
• Collaborated with senior researcher to compile and synthesise findings into actionable insights for the final working paper.
• The Paper is on the World Bank’s Policy Research Working Paper and can be found here

Health Economics

National University of Lesotho (Part-time)

Roma, Maseru, Lesotho

2022 - 2020

• Designed and delivered comprehensive lectures on health economics, covering key topics such as health care systems, economic evaluation, and the role of economics in public health.
• Developed course materials, including syllabi, assignments, and exams, to enhance students’ understanding of health economics.
• Provided academic support and mentorship to students, fostering their analytical skills and understanding of the economic principles applied to health care.

Graduate Assistant

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, Michigan, USA

Apr 2018 - Sep 2017

• Undergraduate Tutoring & Support: Provided tutoring and maintained office hours to assist undergraduate economics students with coursework and technical questions, enhancing their understanding of key concepts.
• Course Support & Grading: Developed answer keys and graded midterms and quizzes for Professor Stype, ensuring consistent and fair assessment of student performance.
• Research Assistance: Supported various research activities as a graduate assistant, contributing to academic research projects within the economics department.

M.A., Applied Economics

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, Michigan, USA

2018 - 2016

• Fulbright Scholar
• Wrote a paper modelling Out-of-pocket Health Expenditure in the US using Medical Expenditure Panel Survey dataset
• Wrote a paper evaluating the effects of the Affordable Care Act on labour market outcomes in the US
• GPA 3.72

B.A., Economics

National University of Lesotho

Roma Maseru, Lesotho

2012 - 2008

• Minored in Statistics
• A final year project evaluated the effects of financial integration on macroeconomic volatility in SACU countries

Outstanding Performance Award

Central Bank of Lesotho

Maseru, Lesotho

2023

Recognition of outstanding service and contribution as a member of staff of the Central Bank of Lesotho. This award is given to the best performing individual in their respective departments

Service Award

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, Michigan, USA

2018

Recognition of outstanding service as a graduate assistant in the Economics Department

International Honor Society in Economics

Omicron Delta Epsilon; Eta Chapter of Michigan

Michigan, USA

2017

Recognition of high scholastic achievement in the field of economics

J. William Fulbright Scholarship

U.S State Department

Michigan, USA

2016

U.S government’s flagship international education and cultural exchange program for exceptional students and researchers

Top Economics Student Achievement Award

Ned Bank Lesotho & LRA

Maseru, Lesotho

2011

An inaugural award given for the best essay during the annual national budget speech (1st prize)